Retainer for transformer casing cover



Jan. 23, 1962 M. E. HM. 3,018,017

RETAINER FOR TRANSFORMER CASING COVER Filed Jan. 12, 1959 Fi .5. '/3: lsb g f f A 2lb 6|' :II: 52

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Max E. HIII United States Patent Oiiice 3,018,017 Patented Jan.. 23, 1962 3,018,017 RETAINER FOR 'IRANSFORMER CASING COVER Max E. Hill, Woodside, Calif., assignor to Hill Transformer Co., Inc., San Carlos, Calif. Filed Jan. 12, 1959, Ser. No. 7 86,220 2 Claims. (Cl. 220--55) This invention relates to a new and improved retainer means for a transformer casing cover. A conventional transformer requires an open end casing or tank in which the transformer and the oil or other fluid is contained, and a cover for the tank with a gasket to seal the cover to the casing. The present invention relates to an improved means for clamping the cover in place.

An important feature and advantage of the present invention is the fact that the means whereby the cover is retained in place is disposed entirely inside -the casing and hence does not interfere with placement of the transformer in any desired location or constitute a danger of snagging a person or object.

One of the features of the invention is the fact that the retainer means in the casing cooperates with a downwardly extending sleeve or ring welded to the under side of the cover. The use of such a sleeve `has a number of advantages. One principal advantage is the fact that it serves as a stiffener for the cover. Another advantage of the sleeve is the fact that it cooperates with the downturned rim of the cover to retain the sealing gasket in place.

Still another feature of the invention is the fact that exact placement of the cover on the transformer in order to establish connection 'with the retainer means is not necessary and hence rapid installation of the cover is facilitated.

Another feature of the invention is the convenience with which the retainer means may be engaged as compared with conventional methods of attachment.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FiG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical, sectional view through the cover and upper portion of a casing.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View showing the retainer means in locked position in solid lines, and in unlocked position in dotted lines.

FIG. 3 is a View similar to FIG. 2 of a modification.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary sectional and elevational views of still another modification.

A conventional transformer is contained in an opentop cylindrical metal casing or tank 11 having a peripheral outward projecting annular flange 12. A cover 13 ts over the flange 12 and has a downward turned rim 14 which fits over and below the flange 12. An annular cork or fibrous gasket 16 is located inside the rim 14 and generally over the ange 12. Conventionally, covers 13 are formed with hand holes 17 for access through the cover to the interior of the casing 11 in order lto make adjustments of the transformer, to check the level of the oil therein, or for various other purposes. The hand hole 17 is employed in the present invention to provide access to the cover retainer means.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. l and 2, the cover 13 is provided with a depending sleeve 21 or ring, fastened to the underside of the cover 13 by means of a weld 22 or other convenient means and formed at its lower edge with an inwardly upturned lip 23. The ring 21 cooperates with the rim 14 to serve as a retainer for the gasket 16, locating it properly in position and retaining it against accidental dislodgment. lt also stiffens cover 13.

A plurality of toggle latches 26 is employed to engage with the lip 23 to retain the cover 13 in place. In the modification illustrated in FIG. l, four toggles 26 are employed. The number of latches required varies depending upon the size of the transformer casing and various other considerations, but it will be understood that fewer latches are necessary than the number of conventional retainers currently employed. The latch 26 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of a stationary support 27, a hinged lever 28 and a spring clamp 29. Stationary support 27 is U-shaped in cross-section, having a central connecting portion 31 which is welded or otherwise secured to the inner surface of tank wall 11 and a pair of parallel side arms 32 perpendicular to connecting portion 31 and spaced apart a short distance. The hinged lever 28 has a finger grip 33 at its outer end which is bent upward from the connecting portion 34 and has a pair of parallel sides 36 perpendicular to connecting portion 34 and fitting inside the lower portion of side arms 32. A hinge pin 37 pivotally connects the hinge lever 28 to the stationary support 27.

Clamp spring 29 is of an irregular shape as best shown in FIG. 2, having at its upper end an outwardly downwardly turned hook 41 which engages over and locks with lip 23 when the latch is closed. Below hook portion 41 the spring 29 has a downward stretch 42 and is then bent outwardly in an arcuate portion 43 which curves around hinge pin 37 and terminates in an eye 44 by which the `spring is secured to the hinged lever 26 by means of anchor pin 46.

Thus, in order to secure the cover 13 in place, the cover 13 is placed over flange 1&2 with gasket 16 fitting on top of the ilange 12. The latches'26 are open (dotted line position as viewed in FIG. 2) at the time of installation. If by accident the toggles should be initially in closed position, by reason of the curvature of the lower edge of the lip 23 and of the hook portion 41, the toggles are sprung open. It will be noted that the exact positioning of the cover 13 relative to the casing 11 is immaterial. Thereupon the user reaches through the hand hole 17 inside the casing 11 and pushes the nger grip 33 downwardly to the solid line position of FIG. 2 which causes the hook 41 of spring 29 to lock with lip 23. Each of the latches 26 is locked in a similar manner and thereby the cover 13 is retained in place. When necessary it is easily unlocked merely by reaching through the hand hole 17 and lifting the-hinged lever 28 to the dotted -line position.

The modification of FIG. 3 is similar in many respects to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. Similar reference numerals are employed followed by the subscript a for the corresponding parts. The depending ring 21a is formed with an inwardly horizontally directed flange 51. Welded at various locations on the inside of casing 11a are horizontal lugs 52. Lugs 52 and flange 51 are apertured to receive bolts 53 held in place yby nuts 54. The number of bolts 53 required varies depending upon the size of the casing.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is likewise similar and corresponding reference numerals followed by the subscript b are employed. Depending lugs 61 are fastened to ring 2lb depending `from the underside of cover 13b and carry hooks 62. Suitcase type latches 63 are fastened to the inside of casing 11b. Latches 63 have wire loops 64 which engage over the hooks 62. Latches 63 are pivotally connected to stationary ymembers 66 by pins 67 and stationary members 66 are welded to casing 11b.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for Y purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In combination, an open top transformer casing, an apertured cover for said casing having a depending rim overhanging the top of said casing, a continuous, cylindrical sleeve depending from the underside of said cover interiorly of said casing, said sleeve having an inturned curled lip, and a plurality of toggle latches spaced around the inside of said casing adjacent the top thereof, each said toggle latch comprising a stationary support fixed to said casing, a lever pivoted to said support, and a latch spring pivotally `mounted on said lever, said spring being formed with a hook to hook over said lip when said lever is depressed.

2. In a transformer casing assembly, an open top tank, an apertured cover having a peripheral rim overhanging and resting upon the top of said tank, a cylindrical, short sleeve permanently secured to the underside of said cover and extending continuously around the inside ofthe upper end of said tank, said sleeve having an inwardly turned curled lip, and a plurality of latches each xed to the in side of the upper end of said tank and spaced around the inside of said tank, each said latch having an operative and an inoperative position, each said latch having a hook to hook over said lip when said latch is in operative position and being disengageable from said lip when said latch is in operative position to permit lifting of said cover from said tank, said latches being manually operable through said aperture.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,094,773 Beehler Apr. 28, 1914 1,825,311 Eschholz Sept. 29, 1931 2,031,885 Gredell yFeb. 25, 1936 2,142,366 Mitschrich Ian. 3, 1939 2,717,093 Mautner Sept. 6, 1955 

